Do I need an employer handbook?
Do I need an employer handbook if I am a small employer?
The rule of thumb is that if you have 15 or more employees it is strongly recommended that you have an employee handbook. Although the employee handbook is not an employment contract, the handbook provides certain guidelines as to what your employees should expect and the actions they need to take. A properly crafted employee handbook tends to protect employers from liability because it requires employees to give notification if the employee feels victimized from discrimination or other illegal action. By causing employees to follow a process, employers generally have the opportunity to cure or otherwise correct the wrongful act.
In Florida 15 employees, is an important threshhold of employees because the discrimination laws under Florida Statute 760 and Title VII apply. The greater the number of employees, the more laws the employer must abide by. For instance, with 50 or more employees within a 75 mile radius, the employer must comply with the Family Medical Leave Act.
It is always adviseable to consult an attorney.
Attorney: Maurice Arcadier
Our Melbourne office is centrally located in Brevard County, enabling our lawyers to serve clients throughout "the Space Coast", including Cocoa Beach, Palm Bay and Vero Beach.
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